Franz Piechulek
Encyclopedia
Leutnant Franz Piechulek was a World War I flying ace
credited with 14 aerial victories. He was assigned to Kest 5 on 27 October 1917. He scored his first aerial victory there, downing a Nieuport
on 22 November. He then moved on to Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 41 on 14 December. On 5 January 1918, he set an enemy observation balloon afire for his second win. Four days later, he moved to Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 56 to pilot an Albatros D.V
a or a Fokker D.VII
. He arrived the same day as his new Staffelführer
, Franz Schleiff
. Between 5 March and 4 October 1918, Piechulek rolled up another dozen triumphs, outlasting both Schlieff and his replacement, Dieter Collin
.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with 14 aerial victories. He was assigned to Kest 5 on 27 October 1917. He scored his first aerial victory there, downing a Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
on 22 November. He then moved on to Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 41 on 14 December. On 5 January 1918, he set an enemy observation balloon afire for his second win. Four days later, he moved to Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 56 to pilot an Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
a or a Fokker D.VII
Fokker D.VII
The Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
. He arrived the same day as his new Staffelführer
Staffelführer
Staffelführer was one of the first paramilitary ranks used by the German Schutzstaffel in the early years of that group’s existence...
, Franz Schleiff
Franz Schleiff
Oberleutnant Franz Schlieff was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories....
. Between 5 March and 4 October 1918, Piechulek rolled up another dozen triumphs, outlasting both Schlieff and his replacement, Dieter Collin
Dieter Collin
Leutnant Dieter Collin was a World War I flying ace credited with 13 aerial victories.Collin was originally assigned to Jasta 22 in November 1916, but was quickly reassigned to Jasta 2. He scored his first victory there, on 23 November 1916. He picked up his second the day after Christmas. On 21...
.